Opioid addiction can have devastating consequences on health and quality of life. At Mountain View Retreat (MVR), we offer an opioid addiction treatment designed to help heal individuals struggling with an addiction wholly. Our expert team, skilled in managing the complexities of opioid addictions, can help individuals recover long-term.
Opiates and opioids describe different kinds of drugs. Opiates like morphine naturally derive from the opium poppy plant, while opioids usually refer to synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs, like oxycodone and fentanyl. Both opiates and opioids act on the brain’s opioid receptors and are addictive.
More recently, the use of synthetic opioids has risen sharply, contributing to an opioid epidemic. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are much stronger, making them more dangerous than natural opiates. In the United States, this rise has also shown synthetic opioids to be a leading cause of overdose deaths.
Opioids connect to receptors in the brain, reducing pain and causing euphoric feelings. With continued use over time, the body becomes dependent on these substances to experience those feelings, which can lead to addiction.
While these can vary depending on the specific type of this drug, common opioid side effects include:
Opiates are naturally occurring and come from the opium poppy plant. These drugs have been used for centuries, primarily for managing pain. However, their high potential for addiction should encourage caution. Opiates include:
Opium is the raw extract from the poppy plant, historically used for pain relief and even recreational purposes.
This powerful drug derives from opium and is commonly used for severe pain management, such as after surgery or in end-of-life care.
As a milder opiate, codeine is often prescribed for less severe pain and is present in some cough medications.
Heroin, a highly addictive illegal drug, is synthesized from morphine. It has no accepted medical use in the US and is widely abused.
Unlike opiates, opioids are created in laboratories synthetically. These drugs are created to mimic the effects of natural opiates. Let’s look into the most common opioids:
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making it extremely concerning and a leading cause of overdose deaths.
Another used to treat pain, hydrocodone is often combined with medications like acetaminophen. These combinations can lead to health issues and addiction.
Bromazolam is a relatively new synthetic opioid on the illicit drug market. It’s sometimes mistaken for alprazolam (Xanax), a potent tranquilizer.
Oxycodone is a prescription opioid used for pain relief. It has a high potential for abuse because it triggers high levels of dopamine in the brain, causing euphoria.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. It’s also included in mild and chronic pain treatments.
Each person’s experience can be different. Recognizing the signs of an opioid use disorder is key to timely intervention and recovery support. Some common symptoms of opioid abuse include:
Opioid addiction can be life-threatening if left untreated. It’s not just about physical dependence—opioid use affects an individual’s overall quality of life, from their mental health to their relationships. Seeking addiction treatment services, like those at our opioid rehab, is crucial for overcoming this addiction safely and sustainably.
Opioid abuse can cause devastating circumstances, ranging from health problems to overdose. Seeking professional support, like our opioid addiction treatment center in New Hampshire, can help heal some of the effects and build toward a healthier future.
Opioid medication, even when used as doctor-prescribed pain relief, can still lead to addiction. Over time, many individuals develop a dependency when not careful with these prescriptions. Misuse, such as taking higher doses, using without a prescription, or mixing them with other substances, can boost the risk of addiction. What was meant to be a short-term pain solution can then become harmful to one’s life.
An opioid overdose happens when the body’s opioid receptors get overwhelmed and lead to negative effects. These include:
Typical overdose signs include blue lips or fingernails, unresponsiveness, and a slow or erratic heartbeat. Any opioid can cause an overdose. But the risk increases with higher doses or combining opioids with other depressants, like alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Withdrawal from opioids can be very uncomfortable and hazardous, especially without medical supervision. The danger of withdrawal lies in its intensity, which often drives individuals back to opioid use, continuing the addiction cycle. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal can include:
Different opioids have varying withdrawal symptoms. For instance, oxycodone withdrawal can cause major flu-like symptoms and irritability, whereas fentanyl withdrawal can cause muscle cramping, restlessness, and sleep problems.
Rehabilitation centers like Mountain View Retreat offer structured care for individuals hoping to recover from an opioid addiction. Our program takes a balanced approach, incorporating holistic treatments, like yoga, meditation, and outdoor activities, as well as evidence-based therapies.
At MVR, we believe relapse prevention techniques are integral to recovery. In our personalized treatment for opioid addiction, individuals engage in individual and group therapy. Our naturalistic approach and regular progress checks ensure individuals receive ongoing guidance to help with long-lasting recovery.
At an opioid addiction rehab, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a common practice. However, in addiction care, MAT often involves swapping one substance for another. At MVR, we practice a non-medication approach to sobriety, which addresses the underlying factors of opioid addiction through natural and holistic means.
At Mountain View Retreat, our opioid addiction treatment focuses on healing the body, mind, and soul. Our 12-step program is a core part of this philosophy, offering structure, accountability, community, and personal growth. This evidence-based method has had major success in the addiction recovery space, guiding individuals through principles like honesty, courage, and service.
Our comprehensive care blends individual and group therapy, outdoor exercises like hiking and kayaking, and wellness practices, such as yoga, meditation, and basic nutrition. We offer encouragement for a sober future by helping each individual with life skills training and coping mechanisms.
At Mountain View Retreat, we offer holistic treatments for opioid addiction that focus on lasting recovery. Our personalized addiction treatment blends behavioral therapy, counseling, and developing coping mechanisms to support healthy, lasting sobriety.
By offering a serene, natural environment, we help individuals focus on recovery without distractions. To learn more about our opioid addiction treatments, like our PHP Program, and our admissions process, contact MVR today. Feel rejuvenated for lifelong sobriety.
Indicators of opioid abuse can vary from person to person. It can include physical symptoms like drowsiness and behavioral shifts such as social isolation.
Continued opioid abuse over long periods can lead to chronic health issues, such as liver damage, brain damage, and breathing problems.
Yes! With a treatment plan tailored to individual needs, medical history, and recovery goals, individuals can experience fulfilling, sober lives.
Relapse prevention can include a combination of approaches. Therapies, coping skills training, and support from a structured, naturalistic program, like the one we offer at MVR, can help prevent opioid relapses.
Fentanyl is widely considered the most dangerous opioid because the line between therapeutic and deadly doses is so thin. Even small doses of fentanyl can be lethal, especially if mixed with other drugs, taken unknowingly, or is an unregulated version.
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